''Rigby's Romance'' (1905) is a novel by Australian author
Joseph Furphy, written under his pseudonym "Tom Collins". The book was originally serialised in ''
The Barrier Truth'' from 27 October 1905 to 20 July 1906. It was not released in book form until 1921 when the
C. J. DeGaris Publishing House published its full-length edition.
[Austlit - ''Rigby's Romance'' by Joseph Furphy]
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The novel is an expanded and revised version of the fifth chapter of the original '' Such Is Life'' manuscript.
Plot summary
Tom Collins is travelling to Yooringa from Echuca
Echuca ( ) is a town on the banks of the Murray River and Campaspe River in Victoria, Australia. The border town of Moama is adjacent on the northern side of the Murray River in New South Wales. Echuca is the administrative centre and largest s ...
to fulfill a contract on a cattle run. He also hopes to meet up with his old friend Jefferson Rigby. On the way he encounters Kate Vanderdecken, Rigby's former sweetheart, who has travelled to Australia searching for him.
Critical reception
A reviewer in '' The Daily Standard'' (Brisbane) found the book slow going but worth it in the end: "The book has some quaint features, and its quaintness of language and style is rather discouraging at first but it grows on one, and presently the reader finds himself engrossed in picturesque chatter that is at times distinctly clever. Those who expect thrills will be disappointed. The romance of Rigby is a poor sort of affairs as romances go - not nearly so attractive as several other romances related in the book; yet on it "Tom Collins" - this was Furphy's pen-name - has hung a most entertaining and often thought provoking account of an evening's yarning by a collection of typical Australian out-back characters. There is an abundance of Australianism in this dialogue, and some subtle radical philosophy too.""In the Library", ''The Daily Standard'', 10 January 1922, p27
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See also
* 1905 in Australian literature This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1905.
Books
* Rolf Boldrewood – ''The Last Chance: A Tale of the Golden West''
* Guy Boothby — ''A Brighton Tragedy''
* Tom Collins – '' ...
References
1905 Australian novels
Novels set in Victoria (Australia)
1921 Australian novels
Works published under a pseudonym
Novels first published in serial form
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